Johnson & Johnson Acknowledged Autism Risk Evidence Linked to Tylenol Since 2018

President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised concerns about a correlation between prenatal acetaminophen (Tylenol) use and autism, sparking criticism despite multiple peer-reviewed studies supporting a possible association. Internal documents from Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Tylenol until 2023, reveal that the company privately acknowledged evidence suggesting a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism as early as 2008, with increasing concern through 2018. Senior epidemiologist Rachel Weinstein described the evidence as "starting to feel heavy," and the company recognized a "somewhat consistent" association in confidential presentations, even as public messaging denied any causal connection. These revelations emerged through documents obtained by the Daily Caller and are part of a class action lawsuit against Kenvue, Johnson & Johnson's spun-off consumer health division. While the scientific community largely emphasizes genetic factors in autism, the documents suggest Johnson & Johnson chose to downplay the risk publicly while continuing to market Tylenol as safe for pregnant women. This controversy highlights a tension between internal corporate knowledge and public health communication regarding the safety of acetaminophen use in pregnancy.